Out with all the lights

[user 423]

Tonight I just went outside to empty some trash and noticed that it's much darker than usual. The bright light set high on a pole here on the property is off.  It's a security light like many people have who live out in the country and it must be burned out or it was damaged in last night's hailstorm. The nearest neighbor's light was also off and maybe for the same reason.

So I went back inside and turned the porch light off, grabbed my camp chair and sat down for a gaze at the heavens. For the first time in quite a while, I had a nice clear view of the Milky Way.

Nice.

 

[Scorpion Regent]

sat down for a gaze at the heavens. For the first time in quite a while, I had a nice clear view of the Milky Way.

Nice.

It's one of those free things that are priceless.

 

[MrsBackRoads]

All those stars….just amazing. It makes camping on the country a treat!!

 

[MrNoodly]

This is one of the reasons I'm not a fan of campfires.

 

[hugemoth]

One of the darkest places in the lower 48 is Steens Mtn in SE Oregon. It's far from any city lights and nearly 10,000 feet in elevation. They used to hold the annual Star Party there because of the darkness and clear sky but moved it to the Ochoco Mtns to make access easier. Still Steens Mtn is the best place to camp for a clear view of the night sky IMO.

 

[gsfish]

I live close to downtown Pensacola Florida and was able to see the Milky Way the night after Hurricane Ivan came through.

My streetlight has been out for years and that is fine with me. I don't want my yard lit up like a parking lot.

Guy

 

[nature lover]

I mean no offense to others who don’t believe as I do but I have to respond with this Bible verse.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork. Psalm 19:1

When I was part timeing one major reason for camping on top of the mountain was the scheduling of meteorite showers. I lay on my back all night with my eyes open counting them. I pity people who have never even seen the Milky Way. I pity more those people (like my departed father) who don’t even care about ever seen the Milky Way.

 

[user 30781]

Thanks to slow2day's post title, I have had Pat Traver's 'Boom Boom Out Go The Lights' stuck in my head since yesterday.

 

[user 423]

....I have had Pat Traver's 'Boom Boom Out Go The Lights' stuck in my head since yesterday.

You too,eh? I think my brain somehow connected a reference to a sonic boom I had been reading about that day to the lights being out where I live. A kick ass jam for sure.

 

[user 30781]

Oh man, I LOVED Pat Travers back in the day.  Had a couple of his albums.  I still think his version of Statesboro Blues is my favorite.

 

[user 423]

One of the darkest places in the lower 48 is Steens Mtn in SE Oregon.

The original plans for my annual summer trip included checking out that location. Higher gas prices plus my old van needing ball joints shot that down and my travels were limited to CO and NM. I did stay at the Cosmic Campground in NM but both times I was there it was mostly rainy/cloudy. The visit in mid-August was near the time the Perseid meteor shower was at it's peak. I wake at least 3 times/night to pee and at 3am I sat out for a while and was able to catch about 3 or 4 meteors before it clouded up again. One was really bright and impressive.

 

[user 423]

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork. Psalm 19:1

When I was part timeing one major reason for camping on top of the mountain was the scheduling of meteorite showers.

Were you able to see much of the Perseids in August?

 

[nature lover]

I missed them this year. But they are one of the longest lasting ones 20 some days I think starting in late July. With my Fall and the therapy required for my arm I wasn’t up here in the mountains much last month. The neat thing about these is they’ll be back in 12 months right on schedule. I’ve been told That your western deserts for the best places to go see them..That your western desert for the best places to go see them. Maybe if gas drops down to $.25 a gallon I’ll be able to get there. Ha ha

 

[jacqueg]

Oh man, I LOVED Pat Travers back in the day.  Had a couple of his albums.  I still think his version of Statesboro Blues is my favorite.

Now you've done it. 

Here's a folkier version - 

 

[user 30781]

Now you've done it. 

Here's a folkier version - 

Oh my gosh, that's wonderful!!

The opening guitar, that sounds SO FAMILIAR.  I used to listen to music back in the 70s that sounded much like that and I can't think of who it is.

edit: IT'S RIGHT ON THE TIP OF MY TONGUE. omg this is going to drive me nuts.

edit2: Norman Blake, was that it?

edit3: It was!!

 

[gsfish]

Decades ago i saw a good sized fireball from my yard in south Florida. It was the only one that I have seen that broke into two pieces as it burned. A very magical moment for me.

Guy

 

[user 423]

^
Around 1986?

 

[txmnjim]

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork. Psalm 19:1

no offense taken. evolution a wonderful thing, and when i go out observing it is quite close to a religious experience.

 

[gsfish]

slow2day: Around mid 70s so ten years earlier.

Guy

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

On my first trip into the Boundary Waters, before the heavens were so cluttered, I saw the Echo 3 traverse the sky.

Best places that I have observed the stars:  Boundary Waters, above the tree line in Jasper National Park.
Always been in Alaska in the spring - too much light in the sky to see anything.
Still hope to drag my sorry ass out of bed to see the Starlink trains go by.